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Germany train crash: Four killed and 150 injured as two trains collide near Bad Aibling in Bavaria Germany train crash: Eight dead and 150 injured as two trains collide near Bad Aibling in Bavaria
(35 minutes later)
Two trains have crashed into each other in a head-on collision in southern Germany, killing at least four people and injuring more than 150. Two trains have crashed into each other in a head-on collision in southern Germany, killing at least eight people and injuring more than 150.
Police said one of the trains had derailed and several carriages overturned, and said the final tally of injuries and fatalities was yet to be confirmed.Police said one of the trains had derailed and several carriages overturned, and said the final tally of injuries and fatalities was yet to be confirmed.
The early morning crash took place near Bad Aibling in Bavaria, and involving two regional trains carrying a large number of commuters. The early morning crash took place near Bad Aibling in Bavaria, and involved two regional trains carrying a large number of commuters.
The latest tally released by Bavarian police said four people had died and 15 were critically injured, while another 40 "serious" and around 100 more minor injuries were also reported. Police said they did not rule out finding more dead and wounded in the wreckage.  A tally released by Bavarian police said four people had died and 15 were critically injured, while another 40 "serious" and around 100 more minor injuries were also reported.
A spokeswoman for police in Upper Bavaria said eight rescue helicopters were standing on a lawn near the entrance to the town of Bad Aibling and further rescue staff were on the way to the scene of the crash. Local journalists said they had "never seen so many ambulances" congregated in one place. But speaking to local media outlets, police later said the death toll had doubled to eight. They did not rule out finding more dead and wounded as the wreckage was cleared. 
The crash took place shortly before 7am local time (6am GMT), on a stretch of the track between Rosenheim and Holzkirchen.The crash took place shortly before 7am local time (6am GMT), on a stretch of the track between Rosenheim and Holzkirchen.
At around 9am (8am GMT), police spokesman Stefan Sonntag told AP there were still some people trapped.At around 9am (8am GMT), police spokesman Stefan Sonntag told AP there were still some people trapped.
"This is the biggest accident we have had in years in this region and we have many emergency doctors, ambulances and helicopters on the scene," he said."This is the biggest accident we have had in years in this region and we have many emergency doctors, ambulances and helicopters on the scene," he said.
The trains involved would normally be expected to carry children on their way to school, local reports said, but for the fact that there was a public holiday for the German carnival season.The trains involved would normally be expected to carry children on their way to school, local reports said, but for the fact that there was a public holiday for the German carnival season.
Local broadcaster Bayerischer Rundfunk 24 said the local carnival in Rosenheim had been cancelled as a result of the incident. A spokeswoman for police in Upper Bavaria said eight rescue helicopters were standing on a lawn near the entrance to the town of Bad Aibling and further rescue staff were on the way to the scene of the crash. Local journalists said they had "never seen so many ambulances" congregated in one place.
Broadcaster Bayerischer Rundfunk 24 said the local carnival in Rosenheim had been cancelled as a result of the incident.
It said the crash had taken place near a sewage treatment plant amid a spell of cold weather in southern Bavaria.It said the crash had taken place near a sewage treatment plant amid a spell of cold weather in southern Bavaria.
Images posted to social media showed the crash site appeared to be in a wooded area next to a canal. BR 24 said the nearest main road was frozen at the time of the crash, and that the incident was causing extensive local transport delays.Images posted to social media showed the crash site appeared to be in a wooded area next to a canal. BR 24 said the nearest main road was frozen at the time of the crash, and that the incident was causing extensive local transport delays.
This article will be updated shortly The operator of the two trains, Bayerische Oberlandbahn, said on its website that the trains both partially derailed and are wedged into each other.
The operator and federal police in Bavaria have activated phone hotlines for families seeking information.
The statement did not address the cause of the crash, and officials declined to comment on it.